What Are the Different Methods for Surface Finishing in 3D Printing?

Additive manufacturing has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, evolving from a niche technology to an increasingly industrial method allowing for everything from prototyping to the production of end-use parts. However, despite 3D printing’s benefits, notably in terms of design freedom and customized production, the technology alone is not capable of creating professional-quality finished parts. Often, various post-processing processes are required to obtain high-quality final models. This involves a number of different steps.

For example, we previously gave an introduction to post-processing in additive manufacturing as well as a closer look at the importance of cleaning 3D printed parts. In addition to this, it is also essential to address the roughness of such parts depending on the material and technology used. Therefore, today we want to delve into yet another aspect in this complete guide to surface finishing in 3D printing. This type of treatment is often necessary in order to change the appearance of the raw part, smooth surfaces, adjust its size and shape or improve its service life.

The sanding, one popular method of surface finishing for 3D printing parts, can be done manually, although automatic tools are also available.

Surface Sanding

In 3D printed parts, especially those created by extrusion methods, layer lines and other possible imperfections are often visible. To remove these surface defects, one of the most commonly used methods is sanding. This system involves the use of a rough material such as sandpaper of different grit sizes to remove the coating lines and provide a uniform finish free of imperfections. It is very useful if any type of subsequent coating is to be applied to the surface, as the surface will need to be smooth for optimum application.